Governor Christie and legislative leaders praised votes by Rutgers University’s governing boards to merge with the state’s medical university this morning, clearing the final hurdle for a sweeping reorganization of public higher education institutions in the state.

“I’m ecstatic that they recognize higher education needs to change in New Jersey,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney, one of the co-sponsors of the legislation that will break up the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey — with parts going to Rutgers and Rowan University in South Jersey.

Sweeney, who partnered with Christie on the bill, which was signed over the summer, noted that the final measure successfully addressed concerns over the fate of Rutgers’ Camden campus.

Originally, Rutgers was supposed to cede control over its South Jersey campus to Rowan. But that part of the plan was dropped after considerable opposition from Rutgers, which will take control of nine new entities as a result of the merger plan.

Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick said the negotiations over the plan plan “took a long time, but I think it’s the right way to go.”

In a statement, Christie praised the plan, saying it “unleashes the full potential of Rutgers University, making it a national magent and competitor for medical research funding, educational talent and opportunity for students.”

Legislative leaders echoed the governor, noting the plan was meant to increase the school’s academic stature and make it a linchpin of an effort to attract medical research dollars to the state.

Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver called the vote “a good thing for all the institutions involved.”

And Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean said the “vote paves the way for making New Jersey’s institutions more competitive with the rest of America.”

Though the votes by Rutgers’ Board of Governors and Board of Trustees were the final procedural hurdle the plan needed to clear, it will take several years — and millions of dollars — to implement.

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The Bloggers

Melissa Hayes, who has worked at The Record since 2010, covers Gov. Chris Christie and politics for the State House Bureau. Follow her on Twitter at @Record_Melissa. View all of her posts

Herb Jackson is the Washington correspondent for The Record, covering North Jersey issues on the Potomac, including the activities of the congressional delegation and federal policies that affect the region. Follow him on Twitter @Record_DC.View all of his posts.

Salvador Rizzo covers politics for The Record’s State House bureau, with a focus on financial issues and the state budget, and legal issues in the New Jersey courts. Follow him on Twitter @rizzoTK.View all of his posts.

Charles Stile is the political columnist for The Record. He is a former State House Bureau chief at The Record and has covered politics and government in New Jersey for more than two decades. Follow him on Twitter @PoliticalStile. View all of his posts